Fly-swatter.



J. JACKSON.

FLY SWATTER.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 4, 1912.

Patented Jan. 5, 1915.

1H1: NORRIS PLERS (30., PHOTO-LITHQ. WASHINQI'ON Dv C @NITED STATES ATE FFECE.

JOHN JACKSON, OF CLINTON, IOWA, A-SSIGNOR TO JOHN ALBERT LUBBERS AND CHARLES LEONARD BELL, OF CLINTON, IOWA.

FLY- SWATTER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented J an. 5;, 1915.

Application filed November 4, 1912. Serial No. 729,430.

Iowa, have invented new and useful Improvements in Fly-Swatters, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to fly killers or swatters, and the primary object of the same is to provide a cheap device of this class having an effective spring action and wherein the organization issimple and strong and durable, the main body of the killer or swatter being reinforced against breakage both through the medium of a spring device centrally engaging the same and a flexible edge binding having a tendency to restore the body of the device to normal position after use and conjointly operating with the spring to produce a quick return of the body to its position relatively to the handle and thereby materially reduce the strain on the spring.

With these and other objects and advantages in view, the invention consists in the construction and arrangement of the several parts which will be more fully described and claimed.

In the drawing :Figure 1 is a perspective view of the killer 0r swatter embodying the features of the invention. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same partially broken away. Fig. 8 is a transverse vertical section taken in the plane of the line 33 in Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a View similar to Fig. 3 showing a slight modification in the form of the spring.

The numeral 5 designates the wire gauze body of suitable mesh and dimensions hav ing a rear rounded or semicircular extremity 6. A binding 7 of suitable flexible material preferably imitation leather, is applied and secured fully around the edges of the body 5, such binding strip being attached to the body 5 by means of stitches or other suitable fastenings passing through the reticulations of the body. A handle 8, of suitable length, is provided with the horizontal slot or kerf 9 at its inner end, and into the said slot or kerf 9 the rear portion of the body, including the binding 7 thereover, is pushed into the said slot and secured by fastening pins or small nails 10 driven through the handle and the rear central portion of the body 5.

In the form of the device shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, a doubled spring 11. is looped through the central portion of the body 5 at its rear extremity within the handle slot or kerf 9 just ahead of the innermost fastening pin or nail 10, the rear extremity of the spring being doubled or looped through the center'of the body, and at its outer extremity the said spring also embraces a portion of the wires of the body, as at 12, and is secured, the one spring member 11 being disposed out of alinement with relation to the remaining member, as clearly shown by Fig. 2, so as to give them a converging contour toward the outer extremity of the spring.

The lateral projection of the spring member 11 relatively to the remaining spring member also gives a greater width of spring bearing and greater spring resistance on the opposite sides of the wire gauze body 5 adjacent to the end of the handle 8 extending over and engaging the body. so that the body is strengthened against breakage adjacent, to the handle end. Moreover, the rear doubled or bent extremity of the spring is inserted in the kerf or slot 9 of the bandle and ahead of the fastenings 10 and directly engages the opposing walls of the kerf or slot 9 and is firmly secured without being in the least weakened by penetrating fastenings. The advantage of this spring structure is that the body 5 is centrally stiffened at the point most desirable to resist breakage and to return the said bodv to normal position after use, and the particular arrangement of the two parts of the spring on opposite sides of the body gives a more positive spring action. The spring 11 constructed and arranged as just explained is auxiliated in its action by the flexible binding 7 the latter not onlv covering and protecting the raw edge. so to speak, of the body 5, but also operating to keep the said body in shape, and therebv making a stronger and more durable striking or swatting body. By arranging the spring at its rear extremity Within the handle and looping it through the body 5, there is less liability of splitting the handle in applying the same through the medium of the single fastenings or nails 10, the usual custom being to drive a double-pointed nail or staple through the handle to hold the rear part of the body in fixed relation to the handle, and

said double-pointed fastening frequently splits the handle, with material loss in the manufacture and disadvantage in the service of the killer or swatter.

In the form of the device shown by Fig. 4, a single spring 13 is used and secured at its opposite ends to the wire gauze body 5, as shown. It is preferred, however, that the double form of spring shown by Figs. 1, 2 and 3 be used.

The improved killer or swatter will be found exceptionally advantageous, and it will be understood that changes in the proportions, dimensions and minor details may be resorted to Without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

A fly swatter having a wire gauze body, a

i flexible binding material extending around the entire edge of the body, a handle having a slotted end in which the rear central por-' tion of the body and the binding are tightly inserted, fastening means extending through the slotted end of the handle and body, and a fiat spring doubled its full length and extending longitudinally of the body from an intermediate point and having the two members thereof loosely bearing against opposite sides of the wire gauze body, the bends at the front and rear extremities of the flat spring being passed through the said body and the rear bent end inserted in and bearing against the walls of the slot of the handle ahead of the said fastening means and thus secured without penetrating the spring by the fastening means, the members of the doubled spring being laterally extended relatively to each other toward the handle to increase the spring bearing near to the handle and strengthen the body against breakage adjacent to the forward handle end engaging the body.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOHN JACKSON.

Witnesses:

L. W. BARKER, H. C. JENSEN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G. 

